Rwanda is currently in discussions with Pharco Pharmaceuticals, a leading pharmaceutical company based in Egypt, to explore potential collaboration and establish a medicine manufacturing plant in the country. This partnership aims to strengthen Rwanda’s healthcare sector and expand local drug production.
About Pharco Pharmaceuticals
Pharco Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Egypt, founded in 1983 by Dr. Hassan Abbas Helmy. The company is known for producing a wide range of medicines under the Pharco brand. Its products are distributed in over 50 countries, with a record of selling 750 million medicine packs in 2019 alone.
Some of its well-known medicines include:
– Acne Zinc : Used for treating skin conditions.
– Alambuphine : A fever-reducing medication.
– Alfatral : Used for treating urinary tract infections.
High-Level Discussions Between Rwanda and Pharco
On Thursday, President Paul Kagame met with a delegation from Pharco Pharmaceuticals, led by the company’s CEO, Dr. Sherine Abbas Helmy. The meeting was also attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana. Discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration between Rwanda and Pharco, particularly in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, as confirmed by Village Urugwiro.
Before meeting with President Kagame, Dr. Sherine Abbas Helmy and his team held talks with the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Jean-Guy Afrika. According to RDB, the discussions explored ways to expand access to essential medicines, conduct pharmaceutical research, and set up a local medicine production facility in Rwanda.
Strengthening Rwanda’s Healthcare Sector
Rwanda has been making significant investments in its healthcare system to improve medical services and reduce reliance on foreign treatment. By establishing a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, the country aims to:
– Reduce the number of citizens seeking medical care abroad.
– Increase the availability of affordable and essential medicines locally.
– Attract more international patients to Rwanda for treatment.
Other Ongoing Pharmaceutical Projects in Rwanda
This potential partnership with Pharco Pharmaceuticals aligns with Rwanda’s broader efforts to boost its pharmaceutical industry. The country is already working with BioNTech, a German biotech company, to build a vaccine manufacturing facility. Additionally, in November, RDB signed an agreement with Bio Usawa Inc to establish a factory for producing medicines to treat severe eye diseases, including those affecting diabetes patients.
The establishment of a local pharmaceutical manufacturing plant with Pharco Pharmaceuticals would further solidify Rwanda’s position as a hub for medical innovation and healthcare advancements in Africa.
